Applicator having diaphragm mounted valve structure



Aug- 29, 1967 G. scHwARTzMAN I 3,33 7,900

APPLICATOR HAVING DIAPHRAGM MOUNTED VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 18, 1965V III!! /l/l//l//l/A United States Patent O 3,337,900 APPLICATOR HAVING DIAPHRAGM MOUNTED VALVE STRUCTURE Gilbert Schwartzman, Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,727 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-566) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an applicator adapted for use in applying medications, cosmetics, polish, paint, inks and other uids of various viscosity on appropriate surfaces and employs the novel concept of utilizing a resilient diaphragm integrally formed as a part of a retaining ring of an applicator fbody and carrying a valve member.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of means facilitating the application of fluids to appropriate surfaces and which include a retaining ring having a diaphragm integrally formed therewith which has snap fastened or otherwise similarly secured thereto a suitable valve member for controlling How of fluids from the interior of a container outwardly of the diaphragm and onto a suitable cover material forming the applicator surface.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an applicator which is provided with novel valve actuating means which may be used either in a gravity fed arrangement or with an arrangement employing internal pressure such as caused by actuation of a squeezable container.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel valve arrangement in the form of a valve member having substantially the shape of a spherical segment and provided with an outer surface lying flush against a depressible resilient diaphragm so that when the diaphragm is in an unstressed state the valve member forms a closure for fluid openings through the diaphragm, and when the diaphragm is in a stressed state the valve member is spaced from the fluid openings permitting uid flow therethrough.

The construction of this invention features an applicator including a retaining ring having a projecting portion Vadapted to fit into a container. A diaphragm is integrally formed with the retaining ring and has a plurality of dispensing openings therethrough as well as a central opening therein. A valve member which lies liush against the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in unstressed state is provided with means which extend through the central hole for securing the Valve member in position. A porous resilient cover is secured to the ring outwardly of the diaphragm and forms a dauber surface for applying fluid onto the appropriate surface.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an applicator having diaphragm mounted valve structures, which applicator is simple in construction, easy to manufacture, eticient in operation and which yields the unexpected advantage of permitting the application of fluid of different viscosities in an even and automatic manner by merely pressing the applicator cover against the surface to which the fluid is to be applied 3,337,980 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 or in the alternative by squeezing a pliable container, and which upon removal of the applicator from the surface is so arranged that the valve structure will immediately return to a closed position.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of this invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this applicator, preferred embodiments of whichhave been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an embodiment of the applicator shown in conjunction with a container and with a cap secured in place;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with the applicator in position for applying fluid on an appropriate surface;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention shown 'with the valve in a closed position and with the cap removed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 and illustrating the invention as utilized in conjunction with a squeezable container with the valve in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail View of a modified form of a Ivalve member. v

With continuing referen to the accompanying drawings Wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally indicate an embodiment of an applicator constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. This applicator 10 is adapted to lbe utilized in conjunction with a container 12 of any suitable construction which may be provided with external threads 14 to which a cap 16 of suitable configuration is adapted to be threadedly secured.

The applicator 10 includes a body 18 made of suitable plastic material and includes a retaining ring 20 as well as a projecting portion 22 which is adapted to extend into the neck 24 of the container and be securely held therein. Integrally for-med with the retaining ring 20 is a resilient flexible diaphragm 26 forming an important element of the invention and which has a plurality of apertures or openings 28 therethrough as well as a center opening 30 therein.

A valve member 32 which has a valve body 34 generally the shape of a segment of a sphere and provided with an arcuate surface 36, is held against the inner surface 38 of the diaphragm 26 and flush thereagainst so as to close the openings 28 by means of a snap-fitting arrangement or collar-button shaped member 40 which ts through the opening 30 and has an enlargement 42 which holds the valve member 34 in position.

A two piece porous cover 46 including foam rubber mais held in place by the swaged portion 52 of the retaining Vring 20.

In operation, with the diaphragm 26 in the unstressed state as shown in FIG. l, uid cannot pass through the apertures 28 due to that fact that the valve member 32 lies ush against the diaphragm 26 preventing access of fluid to the openings 28. However, as soon as the cover of the applicator is held against any suitable surface as shown in FIG. 2 and force applied thereon, the diaphragm 26 will be pressed inwardly attening the inner surface 38 of the diaphragm 26 and making it less concaved so that it will no longer lie flush with the convex surface of the valve member 34, thereby permitting flow of fluid from the interior of the container 12 through the openings 28 and onto the cover 46.

While the embodiments, shown in FIGS. l and 2, is for gravity feed from any suitable container, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is provided a form of invention especially adapted for use with pliable or squeezable containers and in which a diaphragm is so arranged as to be responsive to internal pressure applied on the fluid to be dispensed. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the applicator generally indicated at 110 includes a squeezable container 112 which may be provided with threaded portions 114 for reception of a cap and which has a valve body 118 provided with a retaining ring 120 and a projecting portion 122 for facilitating the snug and secure fitting of the valve body in the neck 124 of the container. Of course, the projecting porvtion 122 may be spin-welded, fused or otherwise secured to the neck portion 124 or other portions of the container 112.

The diaphragm 126 is integrally formed with the retaining ring 120 and has a plurality of apertures 128 therethrough. Further, the diaphragm is provided with an enlarged central opening 130 for receiving and holding a valve member 132 in place. The valve member 132 includes a valve body 134 of generally the shape of a spherical segment and which is provided with an arcuate convex surface 136 which lies ush against the concave surface 138 of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is in an unstressed state. As can be readily seen from an inspection of the drawings of FIGS. l and 3, the major difference between the two embodiments is that the diaphragm extends downwardly from the retaining ring in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 with the valve body 134 being held in place by a collar-button type snap fastener 140 which has an enlargement 142 disposed on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the valve body 134 holding the valve member 132 in place.

Disposed above the valve member 132 is a compressible and compressed pad 144 of foam rubber or like material. The cover 146 is formed in two pieces including the lower piece of foam rubber 148 and an upper piece 150 of nylon brush fabric. The cover is held in place by the swaged retainer ring portion 152.

In operation, and with the diaphragm 126 unstressed, the valve body 134 lies iiush with the diaphragm closing the openings 128. However, upon squeezing of the container 112 as shown in FIG. 4, the internal pressure will force the diaphragm to a position as shown in FIG. 4 attening out the diaphragm and separating the valve body 134 from the diaphragm thus permitting uid to pass through the openings 128 and onto the pad 144 and the cover 146.

In lieu of the collar-button type snap fastener as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4, a snap fastening arrangement can be employed such as shown in FIG. wherein a diaphragm 226 is provided with openings 228 therein. Valve member 232 is held in place by means of a grommet-like portion 240 which fits through the central opening 242 in the diaphragm 226. The valve body and grommet-like arrangement is provided with a central opening 244 so that peripheral edges at 246 of the diaphragm 228 defining the opening 242 will press inwardly on the grommet-like projection 240, the projection being of an initially slightly larger diameter than the opening 242.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordugly. strued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising a retainer ring having a projecting portion, a resilient, flexible and depressible H diaphragm integral with said retainer ring and having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough, valve member lying flush against said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that sa1d valve member forms a closure for said openings when it is appropriate that the appended claims be con- 6 said diaphragm is unstressed, means in said central noie securing said valve member to said diaphragm for move- Y ment therewith, and a porous resilient cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm.

2. An applicator comprising a fluid container having a neck terminating in an open end, a retainer ring having an integral cylindrical projecting portion removably inserted in said open en-d, a resilient, flexible and depressible diaphragm integral with said retainer ring, said diaphragm having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough, a valve tially the shape of a spherical segment and provided with a convex surface lying ush against said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that said valve member forms a closure for said openings when said diaphragm is unstressed, snap fastener means extending through said hole detachably securing said valve member to said diaphragm for movement therewith, and a porous resilient cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm.

3. An applicator comprising a uid container having a neck terminating in an open end, a retainer ring having a cylindrical projecting portion secured at said open end, a resilient, exible and depressible diaphragm integral with said retainer ring, said diaphragm having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough, a valve member having substantially the shape of a spherical segment and provided with an arcute surface lying flush against said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that said valve member forms a closure for said openings when said diaphragm is unstressed, means extending through said hole securing said valve member to said diaphragm for movement therewith, and a porous resilient cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm.

4. An applicator comprising a retainer ring having a cylindrical projecting portion and a resilient, exible and depressible concave diaphragm integral therewith, said diaphragm having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough, a valve member having substantially the shape of a spherical segment and provided with a convex surface lying flush against the concave surface of said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that said valve member forms a closure for said openings when said diaphragm is unstressed, means extending through said hole securing said valve member to said diaphragm for movement therewith, and a porous resilient cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm.

5. An applicator comprising a retainer ring having a cylindrical projecting portion, a resilient, exible and depressible diaphragm integral with said retainer ring, said diaphragm having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough a valve member provided with a convex surface lying flush against said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that said valve member forms a closure for said openings when said diaphragm is unstressed, fastening means extending through said hole securing said valve member to said diaphragm for movement therewith, said fastening means being integral with said valve member and a porous resilient -cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm.

6. An applicator according to claim 5, including a porous compressible pad disposed between said diaphragm and said cover.

"7. A11 applicator comprising a retainer ring having a cylindrical projecting portion and a resilient, iexible and depressible concave diaphragm integral therewith, said diaphragm having dispensing openings therein and a central hole therethrough a valve member provided with a convex 'surface lying ush against said diaphragm when said diaphragm is in an unstressed state so that said valve member forms a closure for said openings when said diaphragm is unstressed, fastening means extending through said hole and integral with said valve memmember having substanber securing said valve member to said diaphragm for movement therewith, a porous resilient cover secured to said ring outwardly of said diaphragm, and a porous compressible pad disposed between said diaphragm and said cover.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,481,733 1/1924 Paull 15--561 6 2,265,603 12/ 1941 Kingman 15-566 3,081,006 3/1963 Land 222-212 5 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Exmnz'ner.

E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPLICATOR COMPRISING A RETAINER RING HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION, A RESILIENT, FLEXIBLE AND DEPRESSIBLE DIAPHRAGM INTEGRAL WITH SAID RETAINER RING AND HAVING DISPENSING OPENINGS THEREIN AND A CENTRAL HOLE THERETHROUGH, VALVE MEMBER LYING FLUSH AGAINST SAID DIAPHRAGM WHEN SAID DIAPHRAGM IS IN AN UNSTRESSED STATE SO THAT SAID VALVE MEMBER FORMS A CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENINGS WHEN SAID DIAPHRAGM IS UNSTRESSED, MEANS IN SAID CENTRAL HOLE SECURING SAID VALVE MEMBER TO SAID DIAHRAGM FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, AND A POROUS RESILIENT COVER SECURED TO SAID RING OUTWARDLY OF SAID DIAPHRAGM. 